Claims
- 1. A latch mechanism in combination with a sensor assembly for use in latching first structure to a second structure, said latch mechanism and sensor assembly comprising:
a hook mechanism carried on a first structure; a keeper mechanism retained on a second structure; a sensor assembly coupled with at least one of said hook mechanism and said keeper mechanism for detecting characteristics thereof; and at least one output device of the sensor assembly for at least indicating the condition of the sensor device.
- 2. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the hook mechanism.
- 3. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the keeper mechanism.
- 4. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the hook mechanism and the keeper mechanism.
- 5. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, the sensor assembly further comprising an output connector for at least one of sending and receiving information from the controller.
- 6. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein the output connector is a conductive connector.
- 7. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein the output connector is an inductive connector.
- 8. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, the sensor assembly further comprising a power interface for at least one of providing power to the sensor assembly and recharging a power source of the sensor assembly.
- 9. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the power interface is a conductive connector.
- 10. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the power interface is an inductive connector.
- 11. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the power interface is a replaceable battery.
- 12. The latch mechanism in combination with the sensor assembly of claim 1, the sensor assembly further comprising a display coupled to the controller for displaying information about the sensor assembly.
- 13. A latch mechanism in combination with a sensor assembly for detecting conditions associated with the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism and sensor assembly combination comprising:
a hook mechanism carried on a first structure; a keeper mechanism carried on a second structure; the sensor assembly carried on the first structure; a sensor device of the sensor assembly positioned at least proximate to the hook mechanism for detecting conditions in at least a portion of the hook mechanism; reporting means coupled with the sensor device for reporting on the condition of the latch mechanism; and a controller of the sensor assembly operatively associated with the sensor device and selectively coupable with the reporting means.
- 14. A sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly for detecting conditions associated with the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism including a hook mechanism carried on a first structure and a keeper mechanism carried on a second structure, the sensor assembly comprising:
the sensor assembly carried on at least one of the first structure and the second structure; a sensor device of the sensor assembly positioned at least proximate to one of the hook mechanism and keeper mechanism for detecting conditions of at least one of a portion of the hook mechanism and a portion of the keeper mechanism; reporting means coupled with the sensor device for reporting on the condition of the latch mechanism; and a controller of the sensor assembly operatively associated with the sensor device and selectively coupable with the reporting means.
- 15. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the hook mechanism.
- 16. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the keeper mechanism.
- 17. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, further comprising the sensor assembly being coupled with the hook mechanism and the keeper mechanism.
- 18. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, the sensor assembly further comprising an output connector for at least one of sending and receiving information from the controller.
- 19. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the output connector is a conductive connector.
- 20. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the output connector is an inductive connector.
- 21. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, the sensor assembly further comprising a power interface for at least one of providing power to the sensor assembly and recharging a power source of the sensor assembly.
- 22. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 21, wherein the power interface is a conductive connector.
- 23. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 21, wherein the power interface is an inductive connector.
- 24. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 21, wherein the power interface is a replaceable battery.
- 25. The sensor assembly for use with a latch assembly of claim 14, the sensor assembly further comprising a display coupled to the controller for displaying information about the sensor assembly.
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/377,579 filed May 3, 2003 which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60377579 |
May 2002 |
US |